Kirsha Kaechele, the artist and curator behind the Ladies' Lounge at the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania. Reuters
A controversial women-only art installation, the Ladies Lounge at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Tasmania, Australia, is reopening after a legal battle surrounding its access policy. The installation, created by artist Kirsha Kaechele, opened five years ago and has attracted attention due to its exclusion of men. The space features luxurious decor and a butler serving champagne, providing a unique, immersive experience for women.
The controversy began when Jason Lau, a man visiting the museum, was denied entry to the Lounge because of its women-only policy. He filed a lawsuit against MONA, accusing the museum of discrimination. This led to a tribunal in Tasmania’s capital, Hobart, which ruled that the installation could no longer refuse entry to people who don’t identify as women.
Rather than comply, Kaechele decided to close the Lounge temporarily, opting to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court of Tasmania. At the hearing, Kaechele showed her determination by arriving with a group of female supporters dressed in bold red lipstick. In September, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Kaechele, overturning the tribunal's decision. As a result, MONA announced that the Ladies Lounge would reopen for a special run from Thursday until mid-January 2025, with the signature champagne service for women.
However, while the Lounge remains a women-only space, the museum introduced a new feature for men. Through the MONA app, men can enter the Lounge via a lottery system that offers them the chance to experience “domestic arts lessons and other reparations.” This unusual twist reflects the installation’s ongoing commentary on gender and exclusion.
Despite the legal struggles, Kaechele sees the Ladies Lounge as a "living artwork." She hinted that the Lounge could make surprise pop-up appearances in future, especially in spaces associated with male power. “It is time to celebrate in the place where it all began—with the dedicated adoration of our butlers and copious amounts of champagne,” Kaechele said in a statement. She emphasized that the Lounge, through the court case, had transcended its role as just an art exhibit, becoming a broader conversation on the experiences of women throughout history.
MONA has also kept some details of the Lounge's reopening a surprise, announcing that new works and performances will be part of the display. To mark the occasion, Kaechele has created a limited-edition fragrance called “The Verdict,” which is described as a blend of florals, green stems, citrus, and spice.
Visitors will be able to enter the Ladies Lounge as part of the general museum ticket, but the exclusion of men will remain in place, although the lottery system offers a small chance for men to experience the space. MONA’s statement on the reopening highlighted that the Ladies Lounge continues to spark conversation and reflection on gender, exclusivity, and art.
